There will be local and distant vendors selling comics (modern and key issues), graphic novels, manga, toys, sport cards, figures, collectibles, video games, buttons, perler beads, decals, custom boxes and plaques, board and card games, t-shirts, Gunpla, and so many other things for all nerds to look over. DZNuts and Cards will have a Professional Comic Grader on hand.

They will have panels on marketing comics and creating comics, a Q&A with Neil Kaplan, and Chris Yambar. There will also be a charity auction at 4:30pm to raise money for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and a cosplay contest at 5pm. They also have a coloring station for kids.

There will be a Drink & Draw Friday June 2nd at Sharkeys from 8pm to midnight with some of the con’s guests.

Tickets are only $10 and children ten and under get in free.

Looks like another good year for fans of comics, collectables, and those who just want to hang out.

For those looking for photo opportunities, you can get them with the con’s Ambassador of cosplay Harley Heartthrob, the Mandalorian Mercs Black Mountain Guard, the WV Ghost Busters with their 30ft Staypuff Marshmallow Man, a Supernatural themed Impala with a trunk load of weapons, and the actual shed used in Evil Dead 2.

For events they will have panels on cosplay, making your own comics, inking comics, and a Q&A about working for Image. A charity auction for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and a costume contest for cash prizes and medals. For the first time there will be gaming going on at the con. The Goblin Traders will be hosting Force of Will and Magic: The Gathering tournaments along with board game and Star Wars X-Wing minis demos starting at 11am. The Friday night before the con, they are having their 2nd annual Drink and Draw at Sharkeys. There will be live drawing from 8pm to Midnight.

Tickets are only $10 and free for kids 10 and under. They will also have for sell limited edition exclusive comic cover of Army of Darkness for sell.

This is con is just a must to see. Lots of good creators to meet, things to buy, people to meet, and things to do. All for a good price.

Some of the things they will be doing at the event are a craft and Lego maker space plus writing and art contests. They will have a costume contest with winners in four different age groups. There will be appearances from cosplay model Harley Heartthrob, the 501st, Black Mountain Guard, and the Rebel Legion. There will be a Smash Brothers mini-tourney, Pathfinder RPG, D&D minis, Magic: The Gathering tournaments, and other games to play. Plus vendors selling comics, toys, table top and video games, and more.

Looks like a quick little fun event for anyone who can make it up to hang out, meet people, and have fun.

Mini-Con is primarily a literacy outreach geared to encourage and foster a life long love of reading through the use of comics, gaming and other out of the box methodologies. It is an event to engage the local community and encourage the use of the library and all of its resources by tapping into the creative spirit of all individuals and providing a safe place for them to be embraced, to learn, and to grow.

Charcon returns for another year of gaming at the Charleston Civic Center this Friday October 16th at noon to Sunday October 18th at 7pm. This year’s theme is Monsters vs. Aliens.

Games include the Premier Board Game Tournament with five new board games, Pathfinder Society, SPARKS Star Wars RPG, Aerodrome, Sailpower, Artemis Space Ship Simulator, Are you a Werewolf?, Catan Qualifier Tournament, Warmachine Appalachian Cup Championship, Pandemic Survival, 6 WV State Championship card games, Dagorhir demos, Mario Kart and Carcassonne drinking games, King of New York Tournament, Live Action Red Dragon Inn, Battletech, 2 Rooms and a Boom, Dice Masters draft, Warhammer 40k, a board game library from the Appalachian Gamers, open gaming space, D&D, and so much more.

They have lined up a few guests this year. The Guest of Honor is cosplayer Raining Neion. Artist guest Billy Tackett, cosplay guest Harley Heartthrob, authors Michael Knost and Brian Hatcher. Plus Stephanie Erb, an actress who has appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation, True Blood, Ray Donovan, 24, and The Ring.

Non-gaming events include panels on horror gaming, cosplay, photography, art in gaming, and more. Photo shoots with guests and cosplayers. Adult costume contest on Saturday with the winner getting a brand new sewing machine. A kids costume contest and kids Ghostbusters Training on Sunday. Drink and draw Saturday night along with the Charcon After Dark. Live robotics demonstration with P.A.R.T.s. Vendors and artist alley.

A weekend pass is $40, Friday and Sunday pass $20, and Saturday $25. Children twelve and under can get a weekend pass for $20 or day pass for $10. A non-gaming pass is $10 per day.

This is a big year of gaming, with lots of different games to get in on and more non-gaming activities too. I will be running Super Dungeon Explorer on Friday night, Kittens in a Blender on Saturday, and Krosmaster Arena on Sunday. So come by and join in a game.